Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

WHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice may include:
applicable commonwealth and state or territory WHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice
common law duties to meet general duty of care requirements
duty holders, as specified in WHS Acts:
PCBUs or their officers
workers
other persons at a workplace
WHS legislative and regulatory requirements for effective management of hazards
WHS legislative and regulatory requirements for establishing consultation arrangements, including those for health and safety representatives and health and safety committees
WHS legislative and regulatory requirements for providing information and training, including:
training in safe operating procedures
procedures for workplace hazards
hazard identification
risk assessment and risk control
emergency and evacuation procedures
WHS legislative, regulatory and other requirements for the maintenance and confidentiality of records of occupational injury and disease.
Organisation’s WHS policies, procedures and programs may address:
acquisition, use, storage and disposal of hazardous chemicals
alcohol and other drug intoxication
consultation arrangements for workers in work area
emergency and evacuation procedures
family-friendly environment
first aid provision and medical treatment
hazard reporting procedures
incident investigation
life-work balance strategies
maintenance and use of plant and equipment
procedures for hazard identification
procedures for risk assessment, and selection and implementation of risk controls
purchasing policy and procedures
requirements of applicable commonwealth and state or territory WHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice
safe operating procedures and instructions
site access and egress
transport and storage of dangerous goods
use and care of personal protective equipment
WHS arrangements for on-site contractors and subcontractors, visitors and members of the public
WHS audits and inspections.
Information may result from:
examining commonwealth and state or territory WHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice
checking equipment before and during work
consulting work team members through daily informal worker consultation and regular formal meetings
housekeeping
reviewing health and safety records, including hazard reports, hazardous substances and dangerous goods registers, and injury records
WHS audits and review of audit reports
workplace inspections in area of responsibility.
Consultation procedures may include:
attendance of health and safety representatives at management and WHS planning meetings
early response to worker suggestions, requests, reports and concerns put forward to management
election of health and safety representatives according to legislative requirements
formal and informal meetings
health and safety committees
individual performance management processes
other committees, for example planning and purchasing
requirements as specified in commonwealth and state or territory WHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice.
Procedures to control risks may include:
as specified in commonwealth and state or territory WHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice
consultation with workers and their representatives
redesign of job, process or workplace, for example:
introducing mechanical handling equipment
raising or lowering work platforms
rearranging material flow, timing and/or scheduling
removing the cause of a risk at its source (eliminating the hazard), for example removing stored goods permanently from emergency exit passageways
selecting controls according to the hierarchy of risk control, for example working through the hierarchy from the most effective to least effective control.
WHS records may include:
any record of alcohol or drug use
as specified in commonwealth and state or territory WHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice
audit and inspection reports
consultation, for example:
meetings of health and safety committees
work team meeting agendas, including WHS items and actions
first aid/medical post records
hazardous chemicals registers
induction, instruction and training
manufacturer and supplier information, including dangerous goods storage lists
plant and equipment maintenance and testing reports
workers’ compensation and rehabilitation records
workplace environmental monitoring records.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:

applying organisational WHS management systems and procedures in the work team area
applying procedures for assessing and controlling risks to health and safety associated with those hazards, according to the hierarchy of control and as specified in commonwealth and state or territory WHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice
providing specific, clear and accurate information and advice on workplace hazards to work team
knowledge of legal responsibilities of managers, supervisors, PCBUs or their officers and workers in the workplace.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:

an actual workplace or simulated environment
office equipment and resources
examples of documentation relating to hazards in the workplace
examples of documents relating to workplace safety, hazard identification and risk assessment.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of onthejob performance by the candidate
review of records communicating the outcomes of consultation over WHS issues to the work team
analysis of responses to case studies and scenarios
review of reports to management on the costs associated with providing training for the work team
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of workplace safety and hazards
examples of risk assessments
evaluation of actioning of team member hazard reports
review of WHS records of occupational injury and disease incidents in work area.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.